CRAVEN'S agricultural show season is due to come to a climax with Kilnsey Show and Sports, on Tuesday, August 30.

Organisers, Upper Wharfedale Agricultural Society, say all is on track for the annual Yorkshire Dales showcase, which aims to shine the spotlight on hill farming, rural life and crafts and which this year could well attract record entries across all classes.

Once again, more than 400 show classes will offer more than 80 trophies and £17,000 in prize money, of which £7,000 is available in the multi-breed sheep and cattle livestock classes, for which Kilnsey is renowned.

Horses will be put through their paces in the main arena, with show classes for heavy horses, working hunters, mountain and moorland, and ridden horse classes, along with local riding competitions.

Activities all around the field, both inside and outside the show tents, will include dry stone walling, sheep dog trials, sheep shearing, fishing by the river, vintage tractors, produce, handicrafts, horticulture and photography.

The popular Sheep Show – including dancing sheep - returns this year, as does Ben Potter with his high-flying falconry display, along with John and Lou Close, of Langstrothdale Gun Dogs. Other displays include the Fire Brigade, who will be demonstrating their emergency rescue skills.

The ‘Local Food Hall’ will aim to promote the region’s plentiful bounty, with tasting opportunities assured, while the renowned cookery theatre will again see some of the area’s best-known chefs showcasing their culinary skills using local produce.

First up at 11.30am will be Matt Mitchell, of Keelham Farm Shop, Skipton, followed by The Angel Inn’s Bruce Elsworth – who later will be swapping his chef’s whites for running shoes to compete in the senior fell race. John Rudden, of Grassington House Hotel, and Rudding Park’s Stephanie Moon, will also be in the cookery theatre.

There will also be plenty for the children, with a special marquee including bread making with Andrew Wood, pets from Hesketh Farm Park, and fruit kebab-making, stories and songs.

New this year is a demonstration on the art of spinning wool by Craven Spinning, Weaving and Dying Guild, who will be spinning fleeces into wool and then knitting it into garments. There’s also a display by British Wool showing the process from sheep to wool products.

Taking centre stage later in the day is the annual Kilnsey Sports and its fell races up and down tortuous Kilnsey Crag. On the field, the one-mile handicap, which proved so popular when reintroduced in 2015, will again be run, while, for the more fleet-footed, the 100 metres handicap returns for the first time this year.

The day will end with the traditional harness racing programme, with qualifying heats leading to an finale. Bookmakers will be trackside for those who fancy a flutter. Trade, food and craft stands – over 100 in total – will also be in attendance.

The event will also see the launch of Studs and Crooks by Craven author, Victoria Benn. The hidden history of the show will be launched at around 5pm in the judges' dining tent by special guest, Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire.

Kilnsey Show gates open to visitors at 9am and will run until around 7pm. Admission, £10 for adults, £2 for children 16 and below, with the under 5s free. Parking on the showground is £15 at the main gate, entrance A, and £5 at Conistone Bridge, entrance C. Off-showground parking is free.